How to Take a Kid Friendly Vacation

Planning a kid friendly vacation can be child's play if you follow a few simple guidelines. First and foremost the trip needs to be fun for the kids and ... wait for it ... the parents. Yes it's true, happy parents mean happy kids. If dad is going to brood about being jostled by giant costumed characters on a kiddie cruise then that vacation may not be right for your family. Here are some tips for planning a kid friendly trip that will turn your vacation into a fun experience for everyone.

Since kid friendly vacations shouldn't mean parent torture, some hotels offer discounts to families. Check for special hotel deals. The Hyatt Family Plan and some Sofitel Luxury Hotels offer 50% off a second room for the kids. Even some posh hotels like The Surrey in New York City offer a complimentary connecting room for kids. Being comfortable on vacation makes the trip more kid friendly. Having the space to put the kids to bed and still be able to watch a movie or order room service will make the end of the day much more relaxing.

Kids who love sports love to see new stadiums, other sports sites, and to try something new. Visit Spring Training or the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Take in a Lakers game at Staples Center in Los Angeles. Head to a hotel like the Ojai Valley Inn with a golf course and sign up for lessons. If your kid plays soccer, plan a vacation to England to see The Chelsea Football Club for an unforgettable kid friendly vacation.

Take a trip to experience something that your kids are learning about in school. Kids will love to see their classroom come to life. Visit historic sites like the California Missions or Colonial Williamsburg. Mom and dad will be proud to see their smart little student share knowledge from their history class. If you have a high school student studying art history, head to a city with a major museum like the Art Institute of Chicago or New York to visit The Met and the Guggenheim. For your little foodie, plan a trip to NYC to brouse through Eataly and Chelsea Market. If you have a rock specialist in your house, head to a National Park like Big Bend in Texas and plan a hike to explore the vocanic badlands near Castalon.

The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua may be one of the most family friendly hotels in the world. The beaches, pools, amazing food, and recreational activities are enough to make for an amazing kid friendly vacation. The Jean-Michel Cousteau Ambassadors of the Environment program offers kids and families the opportunity to learn about the real Hawaii through exploring tidepools, rainforest adventures, cultural arts & crafts, cooking, snorkeling, underwater photography, hiking, kayaking, canoeing and whale watching. Classes for kids include: Turtle Tracks, Creatures of the Night, and Twilight Coastal Adventure. This partnership between The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua with the non-profit Jean-Michel Cousteau Ocean Futures Society celebrates the vital importance of the ocean. Kapalua is paradise and the perfect place for a kid friendly trip.

Planning a kid friendly vacation that is also fun for adults can make memories that will last a lifetime.